“It had to be professionally deep-cleaned because it was covered in smoke-damage soot … but it wasn’t damaged. The fire was in the kitchen,” Mix’d spokeswoman Olivia Simkin said.
She said the seating was part of the original vision for the venue.
“The concept for Mix’d’s seating came from wanting a soft and cosy lower seating option for customers who don’t want to sit on bar leaners,” Simkin said.
“We created the initial design and adjusted it many times along the way, while working closely with Douglas, to ensure the design and upholstery would work perfectly to create a relaxing nook as the finished product.”
Simkin said the award was unexpected but meaningful for the team.
“The booth is a very one-of-a-kind, very intricate design … It’s unique, it’s quite intimate, comfortable, durable, cosy,” she says.
“It’s a pretty cool award for us to receive, and our first one yet. We will hopefully get more.”
Douglas co-owner Adam Greville said the project stood out because of the precision required for the curved shapes and commercial durability.
“This award really celebrates the level of skill we have cultivated here in Hawke’s Bay,” he says.
The project first won the national award for Excellence in Commercial Upholstery before being entered into Ata’s international awards, which recognise design and fabrication projects from more than 40 countries.
The result was recognition for Douglas and Mix’d on the global stage.
The award was formally presented at the Advanced Textiles Expo in Orlando, Florida.